More than 250 Portlanders testify about proposed new rules to protect Portland’s historic places

News Article
Planning and Sustainability Commission to consider amendments to Historic Resources Code Project Proposed Draft this winter.
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At two public hearings in October and November, the Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC) heard virtual testimony from scores of Portlanders on the Historic Resources Code Project (HRCP), a proposed comprehensive update to the City of Portland’s historic resource regulations. In addition to the more than 75 people who provided virtual testimony, 278 pieces of written testimony were submitted through the online Map App for PSC consideration.

The voluminous testimony addressed a range of issues, including the relative roles of different commissions in the designation of local historic districts, thresholds and criteria related to demolition review, the applicability of adaptive reuse incentives, options for streamlining approval of energy efficiency improvements, and advancement of equity and justice in the City’s broader historic preservation program.

October 27, 2020 PSC meeting
November 10, 2020 PSC meeting

Earlier phases of the project (the Concept Development phase in 2018 and the Discussion Draft phase in 2019) also generated significant interest among Portlanders; feedback from those earlier phases informed the proposals included in the HRCP Proposed Draft that is now under review.

About the HRCP Proposed Draft

Released on September 15, the HRCP Proposed Draft recommends numerous changes to the rules and procedures for inventorying significant historic resources, locally designating landmarks and districts, regulating alterations and demolitions, and encouraging adaptive reuse. The proposals would also elevate the eligibility of under-represented histories (e.g., places significant for cultural and social associations) for future historic resource status and streamline the review of minor exterior changes to designated historic resources.

Read more about the Proposed Draft.

Following the release of the Proposed Draft, written notice was mailed to the 16,077 owners of historic resources in Portland. Subsequently, City staff responded to more than 400 calls from these property owners and their tenants to discuss case-by-case applicability of the code proposals. In addition to providing notice to interested individuals, HRCP project manager Brandon Spencer-Hartle conducted 15 virtual information sessions for interest groups, neighborhood associations, and other community members in advance of the first public hearing on October 27. Additionally, the Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC) convened four work sessions with City staff in September and October to review the proposals and prepare advisory recommendations for consideration by the PSC.

What we heard: Testimony themes

Following two hearings and the close of written testimony on November 10, PSC members identified a list of issues raised by the public that will be considered by the full commission this winter. These issues include:

  • The processes by which local Historic and Conservation Districts are designated and amended in the future.
  • The approval criteria used in demolition review, specifically related to proposals that would result in construction of affordable housing.
  • Further expansion of the list of development activities exempt from historic resource review.
  • The applicability of the proposed adaptive reuse incentives.
  • Technical refinements to code language and procedures.
  • The membership, roles and responsibilities of the Historic Landmarks Commission.
  • Opportunities to better infuse equity and justice throughout the City’s historic resource regulations and programs.
  • Ongoing and future work of the Portland’s historic resources program.

Read the complete list of issues identified by PSC members for further consideration by the full commission. 

Next steps

With the public testimony period now closed, the PSC will begin consideration of issues that may result in possible amendments to the Proposed Draft. To arrive at amendments, the PSC will hold work sessions beginning on December 8 and continuing monthly through the winter.

Although the PSC will serve as the recommending body on the code amendments to City Council (the final decisionmaker), the HLC will participate in both the PSC’s work sessions and a series of interim “3x3” work group meetings between the two commissions.

A schedule of upcoming HRCP work sessions can be found on the PSC tentative calendar; work sessions will be broadcast live and recorded.

The PSC is expected to vote on an amended HRCP Recommended Draft in the spring, after which the public will be invited to review the amended proposals and testify at another round of public hearings held before the Portland City Council later in 2021.